Genetics of mating blue and chocolate chihuahuas. Knowledge of color inheritance in Chihuahuas. White and black colors

From the standard
Color. Any, including all shades and color combinations. Only the marble color is vicious.

Main color alleles common in the breed
a w - widely distributed in this breed, causing zonal-gray and zonal-brown colors, may also be present in some red-colored dogs;
a at - determines the formation of the so-called sable color, widespread in this breed, present in many red dogs;
a sa - causes black-and-white color;
a t - causes tan color;
IN - determines the synthesis of black eumelanin;
b - determines the synthesis of brown eumelanin;
WITH - causes color of normal intensity;
c ch - can cause the development of blue, silver and some weakened colors, as well as black and tan colors with white or grayish tan;
c - causes the development of a white color from birth, the question of the presence of this gel in the breed is unclear;
D - determines the development of color of normal intensity;
d - causes some lightened colors, in particular blue;
E m - determines the development of a dark mask;
E - promotes the spread of eumelanin throughout the dog’s body, present in most representatives of the breed;
e - determines one of the types of red colors;
K - determines the development of the continuous color of the eumelanin group;
k br - determines the development of brindle color;
k - allows the development of zonal, sable, black and tan colors;
M (Merle factor) - determines the development of the merle color, now excluded from the standard for this breed. Red dogs of the genotype can also be carriers of this color her ;
m - determines the development of color corresponding to its formula. Present in most representatives of the breed;
T - causes the development of dark spots on white spots. Appears only against the background of white spotting. It is impossible to talk about the presence or absence of this allele in dogs of solid color;
t - absence of specks;
S - causes a solid color;
s - causes the presence of white spots. Since many representatives of the breed have white markings of greater or lesser extent, it can be assumed that most representatives of the breed are homozygous carriers of these alleles;
s w - causes an extreme degree of spotting.

Basic colors of Chihuahua
Since almost all known colors are acceptable and present in this breed, I consider it possible to limit ourselves to only listing the main color-forming genes and some comments about the possible results of crossing Chihuahuas of different colors with each other. We also do not consider the problem of marble color, which is currently excluded from the standard.

Black color
The normal black color of a Chihuahua is due to a dominant allele K- .

Approximate genetic formulasimilar color:
B-C-D-E-K-

In addition, dogs with heavily blackened tan or saddle coats can also appear visually black. With this color, the animal sometimes has light spots only above the eyebrows, under the tail and at the ends of the paws. In short-haired dogs with a weak coat, they can become almost invisible.

Modified colors,creating the appearance of black
a sa a sa B-C- D-E -kk - modified black-and-white.
A t a t B-C- D-E -kk - modified zonal.

The normal black color is dominant over all others except the merle color. Thus, black dogs can be carriers of genes that initiate the development of gray, red, blue and white colors. Therefore, crossing black dogs with each other, and even more so with colored ones, constantly leads to the appearance of puppies of a wide variety of colors.

Brown color
Like black dogs, brown dogs can have different color types as determined by the allele K- (solid brown) and highly modified black or tan.

Approximate genetic formulas for brown color:
bbС-D-E-K - - solid brown.
a sa a sa bbС-D-E-kk - brown modified sable.
A t a t bbС-D-E-kk - brown modified tan.

Brown dogs can be heterozygous carriers of genes that cause fawn, as well as brown variants of brindle, tan and sable coat colors. They may also be carriers of genes that contribute to a general weakening of color.

Thus, crossing two pure brown dogs can lead to the birth of brown and tan, brown and black, fawn, as well as puppies of weakened brown colors (Isabella, lilac, lilac, café au lait, etc.)

Gray color
Gray color can be found in dogs of different genotypes. It may be present in zone-gray dogs, sable-backed dogs (carriers of alleles c ch c ch ), as well as sable-colored Chihuahuas - allele carriersc ch c ch .

Some gray brindle dogs - carriers of the alleles - may also look almost gray k br . In long-haired Chihuahuas, brindling may only be noticeable against the background of puppy fur.

Approximate genetic formulas for gray color:
A w A w B-C-D-E- kk -- zonal gray.
A w A w B-C-ddE-kk - zonal gray lightened.

Gray dogs can be heterozygous carriers of genes that cause the formation of red, brown, tan and black dogs.

Blue color
This Chihuahua color is usually a weakened black color, initiated by the presence of alleles dd . A zone-gray color can also look visually blue in combination with the chinchilla factor (c ch c ch ), a similar color to the Schnauzer pepper and salt. Dogs of a weakened tan color are also called blue (by analogy with Dobermans, toy terriers and miniature pinschers).
Blue color is recessive to black, and blue and tan is recessive to black and tan.

Approximate genetic formulas for blue color:
B-C-ddE-K- - blue, weakened black.
A w A w B- c ch c ch D-E-kk - blue pepper and salt type.
a sa a sa B-C-ddE-kk - blue, weakened black.
A t a t B-C-ddE-kk - blue, weakened tan.

Brindle color
This color is due to the action of the allelek br , which causes uneven distribution of pigments throughout the body with the formation of vertical stripes.

The brindle color can vary from almost black with almost imperceptible red streaks to sand with barely noticeable dark stripes.

Approximate genetic formulas for brindle color:
A at a at B-C-D-E- k br - - red brindle color.
A at a at IN- c ch c ch D-E- k br - - brindle color on an almost white background.
A w A w B-C-D-E- k br - - gray brindle color.
A w A w IN- c ch c ch D-E- k br - - blue-tiger color.
A at a at bbС-D-E- k br - - red brindle color with brown stripes.

In addition, all these colors can be weakened due to the action of the recessive pair dd. In addition, brindle dogs may also have a dark mask.

Tan and sable colors
Tan and saddle-back colors are quite common in Chihuahuas. With saddleback, the dog has a dark back, with black, gray or brown color evenly descending onto the sides, forming the so-called saddleback. Legs, muzzle, belly - red or light. Black-backed color can vary greatly. In one case, the dog will be almost black or brown with traces of red on the legs, under the tail and faint yellow spots above the eyes. In another, the saddle cloth may be so small that the dog will look almost red and have a dark stripe on its back.

Unlike the black-and-white, the tan color always has very definite, distinct outlines. The scorch marks have a specific pattern and are located in strictly defined places.

Tan and saddleback colors can be formed by a combination of either black and yellow or brown and yellow pigments. A dog with a heavily reduced brown saddle coat may simply look red.

The black-and-white color is determined by the action of alleles a sa a sa , and the tan one -A t a t . Genes at different loci that modify red coloration can contribute to lightening the color of tan. For example, carriers of allelesc ch c ch have white or light gray tan.

Possible genetic formulas for tan and saddle-back colors:
Tan
A t a t B-C-D-E-kk - black and tan with yellow tan
A t a t B- c ch c ch D-E-kk - black and tan with white or light gray tan
A t a t B-C-ddE-kk - blue and tan with yellow tan
A t a t bbC-D-E-kk - brown and tan with yellow tan
A t a t bb c ch c ch D-E-kk - brown and tan with white tan
A t a t bbC-ddE-kk - lightened brown and tan, Isabella, etc.

Cheprachny
a sa a sa B-C-D-E-kk - black and saddle with red tan
a sa a sa B- c ch c ch D-E-kk - black and black with white or light gray tan
a sa a sa B-C-ddE-kk - blue-black with red tan
a sa a sa bb c ch c ch D-E-kk - brown saddle with white tan
a sa a sa bbC-ddE-kk - bleached brown-saddle with red tan, Isabella, etc.

When combining genes that determine the development of black and tan colors with genes k br - , causing the formation of brindle, the result is a brindle-tan or brindle-black color. In this case, the “tiger-head” pattern is noticeable only on a light background - the dog’s muzzle, paws and chest.

A combination of black and tan colors with a dark mask determined by the gene is possible E m .

Red color
This Chihuahua color comes in a very wide range. Firstly, this is a sable color, determined by genesA at a at . Its owners have red or yellow hair with dark ends. Its shades, as well as the length of the dark end of the hair, can be determined by the presence of various genetic factors and vary quite widely.

Many red dogs of this type also have a dark mask.

Black-backed and brindle dogs - carriers of brown color genes - can have a visually red color. Similar Chihuahuas have a brown nose and claws.

The second type of red color is due to the action of a pair of recessive genes her . Gene combination IN And her gives a red color with a black nose and dark eyes.

Approximate genetic formulas for red colors:
sable chihuahua with black nose
A at a at B-C-D-E-kk

Sable with brown ends and a brown nose
A at a at bbС-D-E-kk
A at a at bbС-D-E- k br - (visually red, but actually brindle)

Pure red chihuahua with black nose
B-C-D-ee etc.

A pair of recessive genes does not allow many of the genes that determine the development of a particular color to appear externally. Thus, red dogs of the second type can be hidden carriers of many genes, for example tan, saddleback, tigsmoothness and even marble. Because of this, crossing red dogs of the first and second types with each other can lead to the birth of puppies of a wide variety of colors. And since it is not always possible to visually determine what type of red color a red dog has, in some cases the birth of puppies of a different color from two red Chihuahuas may be unexpected for owners.

Lightened red colors
A significant proportion of the red range of Chihuahua colors are lightened (cream and fawn) colors of various shades. They can be caused by a variety of genetic factors. So, with a combination of brown color genes bb And her the result is a lightened version of the red color (fawn, cream, etc.), accompanied by a very lightened nose and lightened eyes. In addition, lightened colors can be caused, for example, by the action of genes dd - causing a general lightening of color,c ch c ch - reducing the level of synthesis of the yellow pigment pheomelanin, etc. The combination of the action of these genes can lead to a very strong (up to almost white) lightening of the red color.

Thus, chihuahuas with bleached red colors that are identical in appearance can have completely different genotypes. These dogs can be latent carriers of almost all possible color genes. As a result, when bleached dogs of different genotypes are crossed with each other, the birth of puppies of any color is possible, including merle, which is excluded from the standard for this breed.

White spot
White spots against the background of the main color are due to the presence of a pair of recessive genes ss .

Almost all Chihuahuas have white spotting, expressed to one degree or another. It can vary from isolated white spots on the chest or toes to almost white with small black spots.

White color
This color of the Chihuahua is either a very bleached red, or it is an extreme degree of spotting due to the presence of genes s w s w .

Crossbreeding of Chihuahuas is carried out mainly without any regulations on colors. Because of this, the majority of representatives of the breed turn out to be carriers of a wide variety of genes, and as a result of such matings, puppies of a wide variety of colors can be obtained.

How to get the desired color when crossing:
Dog genetics, of course, cannot be predicted, but there are a few rules that have always applied:
One gene is responsible for the variety of coat colors in these dogs. There are three main pigments: 1. red; 2. black; 3. brown.

Two black dogs with the right genes can produce puppies of absolutely any color.
Chihuahuas that do not have the black gene, such as chocolate Chihuahuas, cannot have black, red, or gray puppies.
-Two brown dogs cannot have black children.
-Two dogs with sable color will not be able to produce red puppies. Since the red one is dominant in relation to the sable one.
-Chocolate and lilac dogs will not be able to have gray and black dogs.
-Two Chihuahuas with fawn coloring will not be able to have gray, black, sable, lilac, or chocolate kittens, since these colors are dominant in relation to the fawn color.
-A blue and lilac or 2 blue dogs can only give birth to puppies of the same color.
-Two yellow Chihuahuas can only have yellow puppies.
-Gray and purple ones can produce yellow puppies.
-Despite the fact that the color of Chihuahua puppies in a future litter cannot be known 100%, this can be assumed based on some data. According to the basics of genetics, one pigment called “melanin” is responsible for the variety of shades in dogs. There are two forms of the chemical state of this pigment:
-Initial – eumelanin, a color that creates a chocolate (brown) or black tone to the animal’s fur;
-Secondary – pheomelanin, the pigment that forms the reddish or brindle, yellow or red coat color. The genetics of Chihuahua colors are very diverse.
-Allele – different configurations of the same gene. Alleles of several genes are responsible for future coloration.
Genes are responsible for the appearance of a specific trait. Thanks to the resulting individual set of genes, the genotype of the dog is created. It is responsible for the formation of the animal’s phenotype – its appearance. We subsequently see it with the naked eye - this is the resulting shade of the dog’s coat.

If the genotype of two black Chihuahuas contains repressive (submissive) genes, then when crossed they will produce puppies of any color.
-Black, brindle, chocolate, sable, lilac tones and blue color phenotypes cannot be created by mixing 2 reddish dogs with black noses and a black mask. Such animals lack a dominant black gene.
If the genotype of two black Chihuahuas contains repressive (submissive) genes, then when crossed they will produce puppies of any color.
-Chihuahuas with chocolate coats do not have the genetic code responsible for their black color. Accordingly, two such dogs will not produce black, blue, red or cream shades.
-Two blue dogs produce bluish and lilac colored puppies. Blue and lilac can only produce offspring with the blue or lilac gene.
-Breeding two brown Chihuahuas will never produce black or blue dogs.
Two chocolate ones will only get brown color.
-Two cream colors will only give a cream color. When mixed with a gray, blue, or lilac background, they can produce puppies with a gray, blue, or lilac tint.
-A red coat background will never be obtained from two sable dogs, since the red color is dominant in relation to the sable shade.
-When crossing a chocolate and a lilac dog, you cannot get animals with black or gray colors.
-Dogs with gray, blue, or lilac background coats can produce cream babies with gray, blue, or lilac underneath.
-When you cross a black black with a chocolate one, you get a blue Chihuahua. A shade of blue is possible if one of the dogs in the family had this genotype.

The Chihuahua is one such breed that boasts a range of coat colors. There are tones to suit every taste; girls can even choose the color of their pet to match the color of their handbag or boots.

All the coloring of sneezes was developed by nature, without interference with the genetic type. The Chihuahua had enough time for this, since they have existed for more than 3 thousand years.

The rich range of colors has given this breed incredible popularity all over the world. This article will describe the colors of Chihuahuas, but first you need to find out what this breed is.

Features of the breed

These are small dogs weighing no more than three kilograms, they are more similar in size to cats. They come in two types based on coat type: long-haired and smooth-haired. There are also differences in body type between cobby and dir.

Cobbies are small, stocky dogs with short legs. Deer are dogs with long legs, narrow chests, usually taller than cobbies, and their build is often compared to small fawns.

All representatives of this breed are similar in that during movement their heads are directed upward and straight, which gives them the appearance of a royal nature. They are very fragile, a pet can fall from a small height and break a limb or even be killed. Regarding size, they can be divided into four types:

• Dwarf, their weight is 500 g-1.2 kg;
• Small, their weight is 1.4-1.9 kg;
• Medium, their weight is 2.1-2.3 kg;
• Large, their weight is 2.5 -3 kg.

If the weight of a Chihuahua exceeds the maximum weight of large dogs or it is less than the minimum weight of dwarf dogs, then the dog has a deviation from breed standards. There are also genetic mutants that are passed off as real Chihuahuas.

Deviation from the appearance standard:

• Lack of teeth;
• Excessively long hair;
• No tail;
• Short neck;
• Lack of wool;
• Small ears.

But nowhere is it stated that Chihuahuas have any forbidden colors. These dogs are allowed to wear a fur coat of any color.

Color that affects the health of future puppies

According to the standard, there are no prohibited colors for sneezes, but there is a shade that causes puppies to be born with defects and abnormalities. This shade is called Merle. It is believed that sneezes with this shade were obtained as a result of mating with other breeds.

And if you cross a dog that has the Merle color gene even with a normal dog, then kittens with serious defects may be born. In addition, dogs with this defect live much shorter.

Basic colors

As mentioned above, the Chihuahua has a very large palette; a poet could list all the colors for a long time. Below are the most popular coat colors for Chihuahuas, including traditional and rare ones.

Important: The coat colors can be any, but according to the standard, more than three colors are not allowed on one dog.

Ginger. One of the most popular tones, it can be solid or have white spots.

Black. It can be solid, or with the addition of white or red hairs.

White. It is quite rare to see a dog with this color, but this color is popular.

Chocolate. More often it is monochromatic, maybe with different brightness, it happens that there are white spots or just some hairs of this color.

Blue. It can be solid, or it can be with a combination of white.

Tan. This is one of the shades of blue, and can also be combined with other colors.

Lilac. It can be solid, or with white spots and specks.

Sable color. Most often one-color, but it comes with black, red, and chocolate tips.

Brindle. Many dog ​​breeders want to have a Chihuahua with this coloring. Their color consists of alternating orange and black stripes. And there are also spots, white or blue. Or, on the contrary, there are tiger spots on the main tone.

Deer color. The name speaks for itself. And if the Chihuahua has a dire body type, then they cannot be distinguished from small deer at all.

Colondrino. Black in color, with places where there are hairs similar to gray hair.

Yellow. There are dogs of this color that are solid in color, and others that are covered with black or white spots.

Important: The color of the nose must match the base color.

How to get the right color when crossing

Dog genetics, of course, cannot be predicted, but there are a few rules that have always applied.

Two black dogs with the right genes can produce puppies of absolutely any color.

Dogs that do not have the black gene, such as chocolate Chihuahuas, cannot have black, red, or gray puppies.

Two brown dogs cannot have black children.

Two sable dogs cannot produce red puppies. Since the red one is dominant in relation to the sable one.

Chocolate and lilac dogs will not be able to have gray and black dogs.

Two Chihuahuas with fawn coloring will not be able to have gray, black, sable, lilac, or chocolate kittens, since these colors are dominant in relation to the fawn color.

A blue and lilac or 2 blue dogs can only give birth to puppies of the same color.

Two yellow chis can only have yellow puppies.

Gray and purple puppies can produce yellow puppies.

Choosing an expensive puppy with a rare color

Chihuahuas themselves have a high price, and representatives with a rare color are even more expensive.

Tips for choosing a Chihuahua with a rare color:

• Before you go shopping, you need to familiarize yourself with the general standards of Chihuahuas, as well as the standards for the desired color;
• Take with you a photo of a dog of the desired color and, when purchasing, compare the puppy with the photo;
• You should not buy a puppy whose color is difficult to determine. Such dogs often play into the hands of unscrupulous sellers;
• It is better to buy puppies with a rare color, by the time they are 5-6 months old, then it will be clear exactly what color they are.

Important: To be completely confident in your purchase, it is better to take a puppy from a kennel that has positive reviews and a good reputation.

Conclusion

You need to buy a dog that you will like, regardless of its pedigree and characteristics. You also need to choose a color that will appeal to all family members, because if the pet evokes sympathy, she feels it and grows up doubly happy.

The Chihuahua breed is unique in its colors! No other breed has such a wealth of colors!

There are traditional breed colors and so-called rare colors. According to the standard, all possible colors and their combinations are allowed. (except merle color.)

The traditional and one of the most popular is the red color. It can be plain, or with the presence of white - a mask, marks on the limbs. The red color with a black mask carries the sable color gene. It also happens with white markings. The red-spotted color is also very popular. Often with a double mask - white and black.

1. 2. 3.

In the photo we see the colors: 1.- pure red, 2.- red-sable with white marks and a black mask, 3.- red-sable with white marks and a double mask. The black mask weakens as the dog ages.

Many people like not bright, but weakened colors - golden fawn (yellow), cream and their variants. Red, fawn and cream dogs have black noses and eyes.

1. 2. 3.

Photo 1.-color golden-fawn with white markings and a white mask, 2.-fawn, 3.-cream.

In Mexico, black and tan and black and tan and white dogs are very popular. They are called "colondrino".

1.2.3.

In the photo colors: 1.-black tricolor with a white mask, 2.-black with red tan, 3.-black with gray tan and white markings.

Spotted colors look very impressive. The main background is white, and spots of various colors and shades, masks and specks are also possible.

1.2.3.

Photo 1. - spotted black and tan puppy, photo 2. - spotted red sable puppy with black mask color, photo 3. - spotted fawn puppy.

Rarely found colors include pure white, pure black, chocolate, chocolate and tan, blue, blue and tan, brindle and their various variations and combinations.

1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6.

1.-pure white color, 2.-red brindle with black mask, 3.-chocolate with white markings, 4.-pure chocolate, 5.-chocolate black with white, 6.-blue with tan and white markings. The color of the eyes and nose corresponds to the color of the dog.

1. 2.

In photos 1. and 2. the dogs are pure white, but have different coats: long-haired and smooth-haired.

1. 2. 3.

In photo 2. - two chocolate and tan dogs of different colors. In photo 1. is a long-haired Chihuahua, in photo 3. is a smooth-haired one.

1. 2. 3.

Three original colors of Chihuahua: photo 1. - long-haired fawn-sable (black cap and black collar), photo 2. - smooth-haired red and white "bobtail" (white head and white collar). Photo 3. - Chihuahua with a white body and a completely colored head.

1.
2.

Photo 1. Here are two long-haired Chihuahua puppies - classic black and tan color (left) and underhaired light brown color (right). Often light brown colors are called beige and apricot depending on the shades and intensity of the color. They should have a brown nose and light eyes from hazel to amber, sometimes even green and blue, as in photo 2. The left puppy has a light beige color. The right puppy is red in color.

1.2.3.

Photo 1. is a blue puppy with white markings, in photo 2. is a long-haired chocolate brindle puppy and 3. is a smooth-haired chocolate brindle puppy.

1.2.3.

4. 5. 6.

In photo 1. - a fawn-sable puppy with white markings. With this color there should be darker limbs, a dark “belt” on the back and a mask that matches the color. Sable color can be of any color: red, fawn, cream, brown-sable. Photo 2. - long-haired chihuahua of isabella (pink) color. Photo 3. - dark brown with tan, now they like to call this color “bitter chocolate”. Photo 4 shows a silver-cream puppy. In photo 5. is a dark lilac puppy with white markings. Photo 6 shows a black and brindle Chihuahua puppy with white markings and a white mask.

1. 2. 3.

Photos 1,2,3. - the blue-brindle color looks fabulously beautiful, especially in the long-haired version!

1.2.3.

Three more unusual colors of long-haired Chihuahuas: photo 1. - chocolate tricolor, photo 2. - blue with brindle, photo 3. - black and brown color.

1. 2. 3.

The dog handler should determine the color of the dog based on the color of the nose, eyes and pads on the paws. Photo 1.2.3., shows dogs of lilac color. The nose is usually brownish-lilac in color, the eyes can be brown, blue and or yellow, it depends on the degree of color saturation. Photo 1. - long-haired puppy of dark lilac color (almost brown). In adulthood, the color may change - darken or lighten! Photo 2. - smooth-haired puppy of pure lilac color, photo 3. - lilac-tan color of a smooth-haired Chihuahua.

In America and Mexico, the designation of color in Chihuahua pedigrees is treated very scrupulously, which, unfortunately, cannot be said about Russian pedigrees. There are simply not many colors there!

1. 2. 3.

In the photo 1. 2. 3., are smooth-haired Chihuahuas of merle color. Photo 1. - chocolate and tan merle, photos 2. and 3. - black and tan merle. Since 2009, the merle color has been prohibited in the Chihuahua breed according to the FCI standard.

To be continued.

The author of the article expresses special gratitude to Tatyana Revenko (Strong Style nursery) and Irina Apanasenko (Apirina Mexicano nursery) for permission to use photographs from their websites. Beltyukova V.A.